Exchanges.
Diversity seems to have been ordained of God. This is especially evident in the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms, and the same law, with some modifications, underlies the world of thought. No two men think alike, act alike or pronounce exactly alike. The difference between the lexicographers of England and America is very apparent, although the two countries are very closely connected by means of rapid communication. Even American orthoëpists differ. Usage has established in New England, for instance, a pronounciation somewhat different from that in the South. Dictionaries do notestablishusage, butrecordusage, and no dictionary is complete if it records the usage of simply a few States. How great a diversity there is between Webster, Worcester, and Stormonth, commonly recognized authorities! The person to whom ‘accessory’ (ak-seśso-ri, Webster) is applied, Worcester calls ak´ses-so-ri. Both Webster and Worcester prefer to accent the first syllable of ‘access,’ while “The Academy Orthoëpist” accents the second. In pronouncing ‘Christianity’ the usage of the South is in accordance with Worcester (kris-ti-ańi-ti), and not Webster (krist-yań-i-ti). The words ‘rise’ (noun) and ‘revolution’ for instance, are pronounced by the South riz and rev-o-loó-tion by Webster and Worcester ris and rev-o-lútion. The Archive was pleased to see the stand which theRoanoke Collegianhad taken on the subject of orthoepy. In many instances in pronunciation, when in Rome, it is better to do as Rome does.
Some one has been collecting facts about the fathers of United States Presidents, with this result: Grover Cleveland is the only Clergyman’s son who has ever been elected President, though Arthur’s father was a clergyman. He was not, however, elected President. The fathers of the Virginia Presidents—Washington, Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe—were planters. John Tyler’s father was a lawyer and a statesman, and John Adams, the father of John Q. Adams, was by profession a lawyer. Grant was a tanner. Hayes’s father a merchant, and the fathers of Garfield, Lincoln, Pierce, Fillmore, Polk, Van Buren and Jackson were farmers.—Charlotte Chronicle.
Napoleon, while at St. Helena, when asked how the condition of unhappy France could be bettered, replied in his laconic style “Educate the mothers.” The same remark will apply to every country, and it is with special interest thatThe ArchivenoticesThe Monitor,a monthly brim full of plain, pointed common-sense articles. This new magazine hails from Henderson, and is devoted to the interests of “Our Homes.” One of its aims is to make better cooks and better mothers. To know how to cook is more necessary to a truly educated woman than a knowledge of painting and wax-work. A man that marries a wife who has no idea of culinary affairs will either be poor all his life or die early with the dyspepsia.
Intelligence among the masses is very essential to the success of a newspaper as well as to a great many other benefits. A weekly paper will succeed in many places where a daily would fail, especially is this so when a majority of the people are engaged in rural pursuits. The success and high tone of such dailies as theCharlotte Chronicle,Wilmington Messenger,News and Observer, and theTwin City Dailyargue well both for the ability of their editors and the intelligent spirit of the people. What State that has no more city population than North Carolina can show a larger list of newsy and literary dailies?
The third anniversary issue of theDaily Argusis full of interesting news and wood cuts of Goldsboro’s churches, fine buildings, &c. It is another of the successful dailies.
The subject of Kissing is treated at great length in an article in theSouth Carolina Collegian. This unique subject is a good one and one which should receive more attention. The author says: “I feel that my subject will commend itself to the majority of college-boy readers.” His feelings did not deceive him in the least; but why not say college-girl readers as well? The girls must feel slighted. Does he mean to say that boys are the only ones who enjoy kissing? It is to be supposed that the fair sex derive some benefit from it or it would soon fall into a state of “innocuous desuetude.” At present, from all indications, it seems to be in a flourishing condition, and who could desire it to be otherwise?
TheBinghamitefor March presents a marked improvement upon any number previously received. It is clothed throughout in a new dress and is now as neat a magazine as could be desired. With the improvement of its outward appearance, the reading matter has also undergone a change for the better. The majority of the articles are very good. The one entitled “India: Her Past and Present,” being especially worthy of note.
The Christian Educatorfor April has been received. It is full of very interesting articles. “The Bible in the Schools,” by J. W. Baylis, D. D., and “Something for Everybody to do for Trinity,” by Pres. J. F. Crowell, are articles of worth. TheEducatoris published, it seems, in the interest of all the colleges in the State.